The Sports Ministry’s decision to slash the Black Stars’ winning bonus from US$10,000 to US$5,000 has ignited a fierce national debate especially among football enthusiasts.
For some, the reduction undermines player motivation while for others, it is a necessary step toward fiscal discipline in a strained economy. What cannot be ignored is that the controversy comes at a critical moment in Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
The cut was first agreed at a tripartite meeting between the Presidency, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) ahead of match-day five and six qualifiers. The players responded with resounding results in their match three and four, beating Chad 5-0 in Accra and defeating Madagascar 3-0 away.
Yet the full budget was not disclosed, contradicting President John Dramani Mahama’s February 27 pledge during his first State of the Nation Address that there would be “no secrecy in how much the government spends on the national teams.”
Ahead of match-day seven and eight fixtures, Sports Minister Kofi Adams chose to “let the cat out of the bag,” announcing publicly that the reduced bonus would stand.
It is this disclosure that has split opinion across the country. Thursday’s disappointing result against Chad has emboldened critics who link poor performance to diminished incentives. Others insist that lavish bonuses cannot guarantee victories and that prudent spending is overdue in a sector often dogged by allegations of waste.
We, on The Ghanaian Times, hold the view that prudent use of public funds must remain a national priority. We believe that football, beloved as it is, cannot exist outside the discipline required of every ministry and agency.
Reducing bonuses should not automatically translate into diminished effort. National pride, professionalism and the honour of wearing the Black Stars jersey must weigh as heavily as financial reward, however, transparency must be non-negotiable.
If government pledges openness, then budgets for all national teams must be published promptly. Silence, we believe, fuels suspicion, undermines trust and distracts both officials and players.
The President’s directive was clear; consistent disclosure is the surest way to restore confidence in the stewardship of sports finances.
It is important for us to stress that one poor result does not spell doom and last Thursday’s draw against Chad should not send down panic among Ghanaians.
The result recorded may simply have been a bad day at the office, but it serves as a warning. The technical bench must diagnose lapses, sharpen tactics and instil renewed focus ahead of the remaining matches. Ghana’s World Cup aspirations cannot be left to chance or controversy.
Over 30 million Ghanaians expect their team to feature in the United States, Canada and Mexico come 2026. Fiscal responsibility and football excellence are not mutually exclusive.
With discipline, transparency and hard work, the Black Stars can silence the doubters and keep Ghana’s World Cup dream alive.
The post Bonus cuts and Black Stars: Balancing prudence and performance appeared first on Ghanaian Times.
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